A Development Server is an Excellent way to Test a Proposed Transfer
Fortunately it is easy to install a Linux “instance” as a development or test system.
The Linux server is an on-demand cost model, so there are no issues around hardware costs.
You may create a subdomain under your existing domain’s DNS records, or perhaps you have a spare domain handy. A spare top level domain name is best as subdomains can be a touch slower than the top level domain.
Advantage Web would download a copy of your database and files, edit the database to use your test domain or subdomain name, upload it to the Linux development server along with your files and presto – all done. We would not configure e-mail at this point and known problematic or incompatible cPanel plugins would be removed. The assumption is that the content required for transfer is straight forward.
We would use a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate on the test system.
This way you can compare response times between your existing service and the new development server. You could check editing WordPress pages, and review your cPanel resource log for any major current issues.
We would test both systems with Google Page Insights and Pingdom. (We need to be realistic about these 3rd party tests.)
The test system could run up to a month with a low cost of about USD $12 (GST to be added for Australia).
Development systems are highly valued, and a good way to give confidence before migration if you wish to proceed.
This approach is sound, and in line with prototyping a proposed live system.
Even though this approach takes time, I would prefer to do this if it helps, and charge a lower fee for setting up the test server. If you go ahead on the live system I would be happy to deduct a small sum off the project price as a good gesture. If your development system is no longer required it would be deleted around one month later – it does not hurt to hang onto a test system for a minimal period.
“Good Ideas for Good People”
